Effects of exercise on pulmonary function tests: A comparative study between athletes and non-athletes in Nepalese settings

Abstract

Due to regular exercises, athletes tend to have an increase in pulmonary functions when compared to non exercising individuals, especially when the exercise is strenuous. Intensity and severity of sports engaged in by the athletes determines the extent of strengthening of the inspiratory muscles with a resultant increase in the lung volumes and capacities. Pulmonary parameters like tidal volume and forced vital capacity are significantly higher in athletes than in non athletes. A cross sectional comparative study was carried out in national sports council, Tribhuvan army club and institute of medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal. The athletes were footballers from Tribhuvan army club and sprinters from national sports council. The non-athletes were medical students from the institute of medicine, Kathmandu. Data were collected after performing spirometry and mean values were compared between athletes and non-athletes. Pulmonary functions were assessed based on forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) expressed as percent predicted for the age, sex, height, weight and race. Spirometry was performed in 169 subjects, out of which 84 were athletes and 85 were non-athletes. Athletes had a significantly superior FVC (P =0.00) compared to non-athletes. FEV1 was also recorded significantly higher in athletes than in non-athletes (P=0.023). Athletes have better pulmonary function tests than non-athletes because exercise in athletes strengthens the muscles of respiration.

Lung Functions in Students Undergoing Gym Training and Sedentary Medical Students - A Comparative Study

“…Our study also supports the previous studies which stated that regular long-term physical exercises help improve the strength of respiratory muscles [11], while good physical tness is associated with better respiratory function [12]. Therefore, participation in certain physical activities or sports may lead to the strengthening of respiratory muscles, improvements in pulmonary functions, and achieving an effective pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1) [13,14].…”

Lung function in athletes and non-athletes aged 13-15 years

“…7 The FEV1/FVC ratio is used as a marker for obstructive and restrictive conditions of the lungs. 18 The mean FEV1/FVC in athletes (105.95%) was significantly higher compared to that of non-athletes (102.69%; P=0.011), similar to results from Vedala et al 17 However, Akhade et al found no significant difference in mean FEV1/FVC percentage between athletes and non-athletes. 19 Regarding the FEF of 25-75%, we found no statistically significant differences between athletes and non-athletes.…”

“…16 We found that the mean FVC in athletes was significantly better (95.66%) compared to that of non-athletes (88.43%). Similarly, Vedala et al 17 and Mahotra 18 stated that the FVC in athletes was significantly higher than in non-athletes. Muscular exercise increases the rate and depth of respiration and improves FVC, the consumption of O 2 , and the rate of diffusion.…”

The Effects of Summer Sports School Basketball Training on Respiratory Functions of Female Students

“…Lazovic et al (2015) reported that respiratory adaptations occurred with participation in sports activities and these adaptations changed according to the type of activity [16]. Therefore, participation in certain physical activities or sports may lead to the strengthening of respiratory muscles, improvements in pulmonary functions, and achieving an effective pulmonary function (FVC, FEV 1 ) [17]. In addition, it has been reported that aerobic power is positively associated with lung volumes and it has been reported that lung volumes and capacities increase with participation in sportive activities at early ages [14,28].…”